What happened
On November 10, 2023, a student pilot was performing their first solo flight at the Castellón aerodrome in Spain. The flight was part of a training program for a Private Pilot License. After completing a morning training session with an instructor, the student prepared for a second session, which was designated as their solo flight.
During the takeoff roll on runway 18, the student pilot applied full right rudder. As the aircraft reached approximately 40 knots—short of the required 50-knot rotation speed—the nose wheel encountered a depression in the runway surface, causing the aircraft to lift prematurely. The aircraft entered a stall and began veering to the left. The student pilot attempted to correct the yaw with right rudder, but the rudder failed to respond effectively. The aircraft descended back to the runway, striking the ground with enough force to detach the main landing gear. The aircraft then slid off the left side of the runway.
The investigation
The investigation examined the runway conditions, the student pilot's operation, and the aircraft's configuration. While the student pilot suggested that the deteriorated state of the runway pavement caused the nose wheel to lift, investigators determined that the runway surface was not the primary cause.
Investigators also looked into the aircraft's trim settings. Although the aircraft had recently undergone a component change—specifically a new trim indicator—it was impossible to determine the exact trim position at the time of the accident because the operator could not energize the aircraft's electrical system during the investigation. However, the instructor noted that the aircraft's tendency to lift its nose could be exacerbated by improper trim settings.
Findings
- The aircraft lifted off the runway before reaching the necessary rotation speed.
- The aircraft entered a stall state during the takeoff roll.
- The student pilot lost directional control of the aircraft.
- Inadequate trim settings were the most probable cause of the loss of directional control during the takeoff roll.